Editors warn of 'disturbing developments' in plans to open up Family Courts to the press

Society of Editors executive director Bob Satchwell has written to Justice Secretary Jack Straw warning that plans to open up Family Courts to the press are being undermined.
In a letter released today, Satchwell says to Straw: "I am writing to you urgently on behalf of the Society of Editors, the Newspaper Society, the Press Association and ITN following disturbing developments in our discussions with your officials about opening up the Family Courts.
"The discussions raised several serious concerns that could undermine the Government’s intentions to create greater openness that you made absolutely clear when Santha Rasaiah of the Newspaper Society and I met you at the House of Commons last month.
"The most important issue that requires your most urgent review is that MoJ officials put forward the view that family proceedings involving the application of the Children Act 1989 or those concerning the maintenance and upbringing of a child remained subject to S.12 of the Administration of Justice Act 1960 as still being “held in private”, notwithstanding the admission of the media.
"This would mean that such proceedings could not be reported at all – since the effect of S.12 is that to report any such proceedings would be a contempt of court.
"We cannot emphasise too highly that if this interpretation is correct, then its effect will be to nullify the entire purpose of the past several years’ discussions and the Government’s stated aim of openness and accountability.
"The great majority of the very cases in which public concern is most acute are those which involve children, and particularly State intervention in children’s care and upbringing. If the interpretation above is correct these proceedings would not be reportable and effectively there would be no change at all."